The 2008 Lexus IS 250 AWD is a All-wheel drive Sedan. It can accommodate up to 5 passengers. It has 4 Doors and is powered by a 2.5L V6 DOHC 24-valve engine which outputs 204 hp @
6400 rpm and is paired with 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode gearbox. The 2008 Lexus IS 250 AWD has cargo capacity of 378 Liters and the vehicle weighs 1656 kg. In terms of ride assists, the 2008 Lexus IS 250 AWD has stability control and traction control in addition to anti-lock brake system (ABS). The vehicle has an optional engine as well It offers and Rear view camera. Safety features also include Driver-side front airbag and Passenger-side front airbag. The front suspension is Front independent suspension while the rear suspension is Rear independent suspension. The car also features a Yes It has 17'' alloy wheels as standard. Electronic features include Cruise Control. For convenience, the car has Power windows and Power door locks. There is also a remote keyless entry feature. Moreover, the car has. The steering wheel has audio control buttons. In terms of performance, the car has 223 N.m of torque and a top speed of 216 km/h. The 2008 Lexus IS 250 AWD accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds and hits quarter mile at 14.2 seconds. Fuel consumption is 10.5 L/100km in the city and 7.6 L/100km in the highway. The car price starts at $ 37,600
Estimates based on a driving average of 12,000 miles per year
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Underpinning the Lexus IS is an enthusiast-oriented suspension that delivers good overall control and effectively limits body pitch and roll motions during aggressive cornering maneuvers. The steering is slightly heavy on-center (the straight-ahead position) but merits good marks for being positive and linear. Powerful anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) on all IS models seamlessly interact with the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) on IS 250s and the even more advanced Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system of the IS 350. While the IS 350 is the clear prime mover of this family, even the IS 250 AWD feels fairly quick around town and easily copes with the cut-and-thrust of daily commuting as well as freeway passing moves. With its revised chassis settings and wheel and tire upgrade, the optional Sport Package endows either rear-wheel-drive model with an extra measure of handling responsiveness.
Paddle-Shift Automatic TransmissionOptional in a base IS 250 but standard on the IS 250 AWD and IS 350, this slick sequential six-speed allows you to use the fully-automatic mode or shift for yourself via either steering wheel-mounted paddles or an up or down push on the conventional console-mounted gear lever.Optional Sport Package While the well-tuned standard suspension will likely please most buyers, the Sport Package is firmer and includes an 18-inch wheel and tire upgrade that elevates any rear-drive IS model -- but especially the IS 350 -- to near-BMW 3 Series levels of agility and fun without detracting from the basic ride comfort.
Impressively finished and rich in soft-touch surfaces, the IS cabin is a relatively intimate space. Optitron electroluminescent gauges, user-friendly controls, a tilt and telescoping steering column and logically arrayed switches on the instrument panel's center stack emphasize its driver-friendly character, although bright sun can make the secondary readouts and navigation screen display difficult to read. Leather upholstery is standard in all versions, and optional wood accents can replace basic brushed aluminum across the line. Comfortable and supportive power front seats are a welcome home for those up to six feet tall, but modest head and leg room make the three-across fixed rear bench seat best suited for sub-adolescent passengers.
Sharing the Lexus "L-Finesse" design language that was introduced with the GS, the IS has a clean, muscular appearance with a slight wedge profile accentuated by blackout B-pillars that serve to integrate the side glass into a single visual element. Other keys to its aggressive character include a power bulge on the hood, prominent shoulder ridges, well-defined fender flares and sculpted lower door sills. Finishing the look are 17-inch alloy wheels with V-rated 225/45 all-season tires on the IS 250 AWD and 225/45 front with 245/45 rear tires on the other two models. Rear-drive models also can be fitted with 18-inch wheels and tires as an upgrade.
Even the baseline IS 250 with 204 horsepower and six-speed manual transmission (or optional six-speed paddle-shifted automatic) has a comprehensive array of standard equipment that includes numerous power assists -- including 10-way power driver's and passenger's seats -- plus dual-zone automatic climate control, power moonroof, SmartAccess remote keyless entry and start, a 194-watt 13-speaker audio system with six-disc CD changer, trip computer, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and anti-lock disc brakes. The IS 250 AWD adds a sophisticated all-wheel drive system and an automatic transmission as standard equipment, while the 306-horsepower IS 350 is available with the automatic only and has the Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) package and upgraded, larger brakes. All IS variants are fitted with front, front-side and front and rear side-curtain airbags.
Key IS upgrades include the Premium Package (perforated-leather upholstery, wood trim and heated and ventilated seats) and the Luxury Package (which adds corner-following bi-xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, power tilt and telescoping steering column, seat memory and more). Rear-drive IS models also offer a Sport Package (the features of the Luxury Package, plus sportier suspension tuning, high-performance wheels and tires and other features) and the X Package (the Sport Package suspension and wheels, and a front spoiler, but without the Luxury Package features). Another option combines Voice-activated DVD Navigation, with backup camera and Bluetooth, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker 300-watt Premium Surround Sound Audio System. The navigation system is also available as a stand-alone option, as are the bi-xenon adaptive headlights, SIRIUS or XM Satellite Radio, an impact-mitigating Pre-Collision System and Dynamic Cruise Control and several other worthwhile items.
Two technology-intensive, all-aluminum V6 engines provide clean and comparatively fuel-efficient motivation for the IS line. The 2.5-liter version uses dual Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) and direct-to-cylinder fuel injection to develop 204 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, sufficient to take a rear-drive IS 250 from zero to 60 miles per hour in a bit under eight seconds with either transmission, and to send the IS 250 AWD to that speed in about 8.5 seconds. The 3.5-liter V6 in the IS 350 adds secondary port injection and cranks out 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Backed with the mandatory paddle-shifted multi-mode (Normal/Sport/Snow) automatic, it propels the fleetest member of the IS family to the 60-mph benchmark in less than six seconds. 2.5-liter V6204 horsepower @ 6400 rpm185 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 (manual), 21/29 (automatic), 20/26 (AWD automatic)3.5-liter V6306 horsepower @ 6400 rpm277 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25
The Lexus IS has a fairly attractive Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) schedule that begins with an IS 250 with manual transmission at around $ 31,000, the IS 250 AWD at closer to $ 35,000 and the IS 350 starting just below $ 37,000. Those figures fall right into line with vehicles from Acura and Audi that most closely match the IS in size, drivetrain and features, and serve to counter any base-price advantages held by four-cylinder models, such as the Acura TSX and Audi A4 2.0, compared to prices of V6-powered choices like the larger and/or costlier Acura TL and Audi A4 3.2. Be sure to check the Fair Purchase Price to see what customers in your area are paying for the IS 250 and IS 350. All models of the IS line also enjoy a significant price advantage when compared to the BMW 3 Series, both in initial cost and with respect to residual values. While the IS 250 and IS 250 AWD rank above average in that critical area, the IS 350 is projected to have the best long-term numbers.
The IS F is based on the same platform as the IS 250 and the IS 350, except with a lot more carbon fiber and better performance when it is unleashed on the streets.
The second generation of the Lexus IS, first showcased at the Geneva Auto Show in 2005, boasts more coupe-like contours with a design inherited from the LF-C concept.
If American car-manufacturer heads had been warned about a Japanese take-over in the mid 80's, they would have almost certainly laughed at the prospect. Humorous or not, the Japanese did conquer US, not through mecha led wars but rather through anime and cars. However, before the mild-assault began, there were a series of weird meetings held in secrecy in chairman chambers.
Such a meeting was held in 1983 between Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda and his company executives. Toyoda had not invited his enforcers over for cookies and tea but to question them about the possibility of developing a luxury-car line that could successfully compete with American brands. The project was labeled as F1 -Flahship 1- and proved to be a most lucrative endeavor. The result was a vehicle that later became known as the Lexus LS 400 prior to its US premier.
The LS 400 was not just a car that took time and resources to built. In researching American luxury-product consumer habits and lifestyles, the Japanese went as far as renting a house in Laguna beach in order to observe their “subjects” closely. Offspring of long-gestating consumer research and cutting-edge engineering, the LX 400 was a hit.
Endorsed by insightful advertising, the LS 400 made its entrance at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, 1989 where it was one of the main attractions. And how could it not have been after 24 engineering teams and a few thousands employees worked on 450 prototypes at the cost of a paltry $ 1 billion investment?
The main advantage Lexus had over Acura, that had reached US markets 3 years before, was its uniqueness. Unlike the first Acura models which were sold as rebadged Hondas, the Lexus held little connections to Toyota design patterns.
Silent, ergonomic, powerful and reliable, the LS became a fierce competitor for European imports such as Mercedes Benz and BMW, whose sales drastically dropped following Lexus' trumpeting market entrance.
Models like the ES 250 followed which along the LS registered enough sales to allow the brand expanding through an 81-dealership network. During those first years of sales, Lexus became the top-selling luxury car in the U.S. Things were going smoothly for the Japanese manufacturer, just like its cars, and in 1991, two new models were released: the SC400 coupe and the ES 300 sedan. The latter was marketed as a replacement for the ES 250 and quickly became the company's best selling sedan.
Following the release of a heir to the LS 400 and the Toyota Aristo-based series of the GS, Lexus entered the sport utility vehicle segment in 1996 with the launch of the LX 450, a large car based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 100. By 1998, Lexus would release the RX, a top-selling crossover based on Toyota's Camry model as well as a new series of the GS. During the following years, further technological improvements such as the introduction of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system on the 2005 RX 400h, resulted in an even greater sales increase.
Things were so good for Lexus that it has constantly grown since its inception. The brand has been introduced to the Japanese home-market in 2005 as well as it has in other regions of Asia and South America as well as Australia and Europe. By 2007, Lexus had spread in over 50 countries and it continues to grow. The company's “pursuit of perfection” is fronted by its current line-up, comprised of the IS, LS and RX series among others as well as the avant-garde LF-A concepts.
2008 Lexus IS Consumer Reviews
yardgone, 08/22/2019
2011 Lexus IS F
"excellent V8 performance value"
I am on my second ISF, wow. the 2010 and newer are really the models to get with the limited slip diff. I love the car, reliability, power, and value. Build quality excellent, and car starts without a hicup everyday. I love the subtle styling and the limited quantities...
blinksinternal, 06/23/2019
2012 Lexus IS
"A Quality Car"
NO mechanical issues at all; nothing repaired. Serviced every 5,000 miles with Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil. Fun to drive and decent MPG, albeit it requires premium fuel. Two caveats: (1) Tire wear is disappointing and (2) Lexus strongly suggested valve cleaning - not under warranty. As we plan to keep the IS, we had it done ($ 175).
portholespace, 06/13/2019
2006 Lexus IS
"LEXUS LET ME DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME"
Aside from being reliable and a great everyday car, Lexus has let me down here. I've owned 2 other Lexus " IS200T and RX350" that didn't give me any issues, not until I bought a 2006 Lexus IS350. I bought it USED. However, it's been fairly reliable. The only downside I've experienced was Lexus's Warranty. If you aren't aware, Lexus has a defect with "sticky" dashboards and door panels melting. Unfortunately I was one of the effected owners. It makes it hard to drive my IS350 without being blinded by the glare of the dashboard, it becomes a safety hazard if you ask me. Unfortunately I've already Contacted Lexus regarding the issues that I was having, GUESS WHAT NO LUCK. The best they can do is reimburse me for a dashboard cover. REALLY?! although it'll solve somewhat the issue, but its unbearable to look at! They couldn't do anything with my door panels, they quoted $ 800 per door. It hurts me personally when I have passengers in my car seeing that my doors are scratched, rips, discolored, and sticky. THAT IS NOT "pursuit of perfection" as Lexus Claims.
After owning 3 Lexus vehicles, this is going to be my last. Sadly I wouldn't want to leave such a great car company.
DONT GET ME WRONG, THE CAR IS SUPER RELIABLE, But with this type of issues "safety hazard" "quality defect" and constant back and forth with Lexus Customer Service, I gave up on the brand!
The 2008 Lexus IS gives BMW, Benz, and Infiniti a real challenge, though it's still a little softer than those sedans. Find out why the 2008 Lexus IS is rated 8.4 by The Car Connection experts.
Note: This review was created when the 2008 Lexus IS was new. The IS sedan is sporty with Lexus luxury. While the IS 250 is described as a respectable sport sedan, the IS 350 is known as a hot rod. Our analysis shows the 2008 Lexus IS has become a very respectable choice for a midsize luxury sport ...
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is the "sticker price" for this vehicle, including optional equipment, when it was new. The price range for the 2008 Lexus IS is $ 6,987 - $ 12,998. The average selling price is $ 9,522. The data below is updated daily, based on used car inventory for sale on CARFAX.
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